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Participant
June 19, 2021
Question

Model release

  • June 19, 2021
  • 5 replies
  • 461 views

I'm a Indian street photographer. Most of my pictures are taken from Indian streets.How to take model release for street images?

 

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5 replies

RALPH_L
Community Expert
Community Expert
June 20, 2021

Hello @Manu5E42 , I know the problem you are facing too well. Street photography is no longer an option. Things really get complicated if minors (under age children) can be recognized.

To avoid the model release obligation, photograph unrecognizable persons. Here is a Street Photography photo example of mine from Pondicherry.

 

Nancy OShea
Community Expert
Community Expert
June 20, 2021

Hi @Manu5E42,

Print a stack of model release forms in various languages to take with you on photo shoots.  Always obtain permission.  Without properly completed model releases, your pictures containing adults or children are not legally or commercially viable for use on Stock.

 

Policy on Model Release & Protection  -

https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/user-guide.html/stock/contributor/help/model-release.ug.html

 

Model Release Checklist -

https://helpx.adobe.com/content/dam/help/en/stock/contributor/help/model-release/_jcr_content/main-pars/download_section/download-1/model_release_checklist.pdf

 

Model Release Form, English  -

https://contributor.stock.adobe.com/static/releases/model/Releases-en.293128c8f1ff86abb874b5f73b8c5094.pdf

 

Model Release Form, Hindi (courtesy of Getty Images) -

https://contributors.gettyimages.com/img/articles/downloads/e391d213-1857-4811-8d1c-5a910f5ccb2c.pdf

 

Hope that helps.

 

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
Jill_C
Community Expert
Community Expert
June 19, 2021

You can certainly keep shooting street photography for your own enjoyment if that is your preferred photographic genre; however, you'll never be able to sell such images to stock photography sites if there are recognizable people. Alternatively, you can get more creative with shooting people from behind, in profile, or in some posture where they are unrecognizable. 

Jill C., Forum Volunteer
Abambo
Community Expert
Community Expert
June 19, 2021

You need to submit a model release for each person recognizable in the picture. And this requirement is independent of your base. How you accomplish that, is your task to figure out.

 

IMHO, this eliminates all street photography. BTW: you would also need to photoshop any logos out of your pictures.

ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
Legend
June 19, 2021

In all cases the model (person in the photograph) must consent, and sign the model release in the presence of a witness. There is no exception for street photography.

 

A model release is vital. Otherwise, if the photograph was used in a million dollar advertising campaign, or even on Facebook, the person in the photograph could sue for millions. Adobe don't like being sued.